On Moor Green's excellent playing surface both sides looked to pass the ball around but in the opening exchanges they cancelled each other out. Any danger from the home side came from their lively number seven, Woodley, and he was involved in the move that saw the first threat on Hervin's goal, the keeper getting down well to block Stanley's shot. City responded well and Milsom laid the ball into Powell's path, only for Gillard to deflect his goalbound effort away for a corner. With just half an hour gone Pridham made a tactical change, replacing the more defensively minded Powell with young trialist Luke Prince, to the clear disappointment of the left-sided player. The change did seem to liven City up somewhat and four minutes later they were almost gifted a goal. Home keeper Rachel received a back pass and his attempted clearance hit the incoming Wyatt, only for the ball to roll a yard wide of the unguarded goal. The closing stages of the half saw the Moors dominate and they should have taken the lead when Woodley's rode a lunging challenge from Thomas before lifting the ball over Hervin into the side netting. They then won a series of corners to end the half but City's back line stood firm.

Another change at the interval saw Pridham replace the disappointing Wyatt with new signing Adiran Foster and switch to a 4-4-2 formation. This more attacking line-up showed that the City boss saw the game was there for the taking, although Hervin had to be alert again on 51 minutes to deny Martin. The keeper also had to push away a dangerous cross soon after but this was the final time he was really troubled as City began to look the more likely side to break the deadlock. A couple of half-hearted penalty appeals followed as City looked to turn their possession into a goal, and keeper Rachel almost spilled a Gosling free-kick. With 15 minutes remaining City produced their move of the game. Gosling, Milsom and Foster combined brilliantly to send Mills running clear on goal. He easily rounded the outcoming Rachel, but just as he looked certain to score Brighton produced a great diving tackle. In one final throw of the dice Pridham brought on Allison and twice he almost carved out an opening for City. He chased a overhit Gosling pass and managed to nick it away from Rachel, only for the keeper to just knock it off his toes away for a corner. Then with the game into stoppage time he got away from Brighton, but with Milsom and Foster waiting for the cross, he fired the ball to close to Rachel and the keeper easily collected the centre. The final whistle saw a bust up between Milsom and Hayde, as both sides fustration seemed to get the better of them, but it came to nothing and the City players left the pitch to another excellent ovation from the 100+ travelling supporters but still wondering where the next goal is going to come from.